Kelowna,
British Columbia, is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley
and the first pioneer settlement, established in 1859.
The
Okanagan
Valley fruit industry began in Kelowna and still flourishes.
Orchards, fruit processors and an orchard
museum can be toured along with productive BC wineries.
Another
important early industry was cattle ranching. While both are
still important in the region, industry and tourism have become
increasingly important with a growing population.
Kelowna
offers all the amenities and conveniences of a larger destination
but has all of the charm and warmth of a smaller town. While
right on the shores of Okanagan Lake,
other lakes, hills and accompanying recreational activities
are within a 15 minute drive of downtown.
The
community of Westbank is located across Okanagan Lake from Kelowna.
Westbank enjoys all the charms of life in the Okanagan Valley,
yet at a quieter, more relaxing pace. It has numerous orchards,
wineries, golf courses, and is a twenty minute drive away from
Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.
Accommodation/Adventure
Providers
Beaver Lake Mountain Resort: Join us for family fun. They’re log cabins, a campground, Coffee Corner, fishing, boats, canoes, kayak rentals, hiking & biking, & lots of kids fun. Just east of Lake Country (Winfield) on Hwy 97 there’s a wellness retreat, internet corner, & grocery sto... more
Fresh Adventures Ski Vacations: Ski vacations and guided tours in BC and Alberta. Experience legendary ski resorts, epic terrain, powder and vibrant ski culture. Enjoy multiple mountains in your Western Canada ski vacation. more
Postill Lake Lodge Fishing Resort: Bring the family for a vacation any time of year. There’s fabulous fly-fishing on a choice of 7 lakes, plus activities including swimming, boating, hiking, and more. In winter slide on that beautiful white stuff with x-country skiing and snowmobiling. more
Rocky Mountain Holidays: Rail Vacations in the Rocky Mountains & Western Canada! Rocky Mountain Holidays customize vacations that combine the romance of train travel with the magnificent scenery of Western Canada. more
Voyager RV Centre: In 25 years, Voyager RV Centre has grown to be the BC Interior's LARGEST RV dealer. We offer hundreds of new & used Motorhomes, diesel pushers, trailers, fifth wheels, campers, van conversions & tent trailers. If you can't see what you're looking for, we'll d... more
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City
Information
Waterfront
Lagoon - Photo courtesy of Jim Doak
Access:
Kelowna, BC, is 60 km (37 mi.) north of Penticton on Highway
97 and 395 km (245 mi.) from Vancouver. The area is also serviced
by national and regional airlines at Canada's 11th busiest
airport, as well as local and national bus lines.
Population:
100,433
Main
Industries: Service Centre, tourism, agriculture, wines,
forestry
Elevation:
344 metres (1,129 ft.)
Climate:
Kelowna is well known as one of British Columbia's most
popular vacation destinations because of its hot summers
and temperate winters with an average daytime high during
July and August of 27.40 °C. The average daytime high during
December and January is -0.30 °C. and the average low is
-7.70 °C. Kelowna receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine
annually and just over 11 inches of rain. Total annual precipitation
is 366.4 mm. (280.7 mm. of rain and 105.5 cm. of snow).
Local
Attractions: Kelowna Museum & British Columbia Orchard
Industry Museum, Father Pandosy Mission, Fintry Queen Sternwheeler,
Rotary Centre for the Arts, forestry tours, industrial tours,
winery tours, Okanagan Lake Bridge (built in 1958) is North
America's Longest Floating Bridge, waterslide park, Knox Mountain,
Woodhaven Nature Conservatory, Kasugai Gardens, Art Gallery,
Stuart Park on the Waterfront Promenade
Waterfront
Park and the Grand Hotel Photo
courtesy of the City of Kelowna
Annual
Events: April - Crafter's Gallery, Music Festival May - Blossom Festival, CPRA Rodeo, Knox Mtn Hill Climb
June - 24 hour Relay, Slo-Pitch games July - Canada Day Celebrations, Golf Tourney, Cherry
Fair, Kelowna Regatta,
Kelowna Comedy Festival, Parks Alive (Music in
the Parks) August - Kelowna Comedy Festival, Mini Triathlon, Okanagan
Family Days,
Okanagan Mozart Festival, Parks Alive (Music in the
Parks) September - Wine Festival, Fall Fair, Dragon Boat Festival
October - Okanagan Fall Wine Festival
Accommodations:
Visitors can choose from first class hotel and motel accommodations
to campsites and RV parks. There are private and provincial
campsites close to Kelowna as well as resorts by the many
close Okanagan lakes.
